Silver Linings in a Storm: Titans’ Young Pass Catchers Flashing Early for Struggling Offense

 

The Tennessee Titans’ 2025 NFL season has not started as planned. Sitting at a grim 0-2, the team has been plagued by a leaky offensive line and a rookie quarterback who has been sacked an astonishing 11 times in his first two games. The offense as a whole has been a mess, with little consistency or production. Yet, amidst the struggles, a silver lining has emerged, a glimmer of hope that suggests a brighter future for the franchise. The Titans’ young pass catchers, a group of rookies acquired through the 2025 NFL Draft, have all flashed promise and are proving to be the one bright spot for a team in desperate need of one.

The “Volume Approach” Pays Off

The Titans’ front office took a “volume approach” to reinforcing their pass-catching options around rookie quarterback Cam Ward. They selected two wide receivers, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, and a tight end, Gunnar Helm, all within the fourth round. While the moves were initially viewed as a way to simply add depth, the young players have far exceeded expectations and are already making an impact.

Leading the charge is Elic Ayomanor, a wide receiver out of Stanford. He is the team’s second-leading receiver behind veteran Calvin Ridley with six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. He also leads the team in first-down catches, with five of his six grabs earning a new set of downs. Ayomanor’s athleticism and playmaking ability were on full display in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Rams, where he made a “David Tyree-esque helmet grab” and a remarkable play to secure his first NFL touchdown. The touchdown, a throw from Ward that traveled 30.4 yards horizontally from pass to catch, was an “absurd” play for anyone, let alone a rookie quarterback throwing his first career touchdown pass.

Tight end Gunnar Helm, a fourth-round pick out of Texas, has also made a significant impact. He had a strong preseason, catching a 25-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Brandon Allen, and he has continued to be a reliable target for Ward. His early-season performance has solidified his role in the offense, and he is showing that he can be a legitimate threat in the red zone.

A Partnership for the Future

The performances of these young pass catchers are especially promising because of their connection with Cam Ward. The rookie quarterback, who has been under constant duress behind a porous offensive line, has shown a remarkable poise and trust in his young receivers. He has been willing to throw into tight windows and has gone through his progressions to find his open targets. His chemistry with Ayomanor, in particular, is a testament to the future of the Titans’ offense.

While the offensive line has been a major liability, allowing 11 sacks in the first two games, the young pass catchers have done their part to make plays. They have shown an ability to get open, make contested catches, and create yards after the catch. This is a crucial development for a team that is in a rebuilding phase and is focused on developing its young talent.

Beyond the Struggles: A Glimmer of Hope

The Titans’ offense is a mess, and there is no sugarcoating that. The team has been plagued by penalties, turnovers, and a lack of consistent execution. But the flashes of brilliance from Ayomanor, Helm, and other young players are a clear sign that the future is not as grim as it seems. The Titans have a core of young talent that they can build around, and their early-season struggles are a necessary part of the rebuilding process.

As the team prepares for its Week 3 matchup against the undefeated Colts, the focus will be on the young players and their ability to continue to make plays. The Titans may be 0-2, but they have a group of young pass catchers who are playing with a chip on their shoulder and are determined to prove that they belong in the NFL. Their early-season success is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of a storm, there can be a glimmer of hope.